title: [The late-period results of surgical treatment for trauma to the cervical spine and spinal cord].
abstract: Seven patients with late-stage spinal cord injury (SCI) at the cervical level were operated on 2 to 11 months following the accident. To assess the preoperative status and the results of surgical treatment, the ASIA motor scoring system was utilized. In 6 cases anterior decompression was combined with a strut graft fusion, one patient was managed via posterior approach, i.e. C7 laminectomy, followed by myelotomy and drainage of the intramedullary cyst. Segmental motor improvement was noted in 3 patients. In one patient minor sensory improvement in the sacral area was documented. We believe even minor (i.e. segmental) neurological improvement can significantly alter the functional outcome. Our sense is that an evidence of the spinal cord compression even in late-stage SCI should be considered to be an indication for surgery. In patients with complete SCI, the goal of surgical treatment is segmental motor improvement. If muscular strength in the upper extremities is preserved, surgery is thought to be optional.
authors.forename: I N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Shevelev
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Iarikov
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Baskov
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Iundin
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Kolpachkov
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Gushcha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors
vernacular_title: Rezul'taty operativnogo lecheniia travmy sheĭnogo otdela pozvonochnika i spinnogo mozga v pozdnem periode.